More than floods and droughts: Understanding emergent water risks in South African fruit production networks

Abstract

Focusing on water risks in South African fruit production networks, this article develops the concept of environmental risk in global production network (GPN) theory 2.0 (Coe & Yeung, 2015). In the past 25 years, the water risk profile experienced by South African fruit growers has shifted markedly. The Western Cape is South Africa's largest fruit growing area and is a globally significant producer and exporter of fruit with long-established trade links to Europe. Extreme water events are an ongoing threat for South African horticulturists, as illustrated by the 2015-2018 Cape drought, which came within weeks of decimating the industry (Louw & Boonzaaier, 2018). The manifestations of water-related risks are, however, considerably more complex than such extreme events. We show how political, regulatory and economic dynamics have shifted South African fruit growers' water risk profiles with significant implications for their daily practices. In so doing, we contribute significantly to GPN scholarship by focusing upon environmental dimensions which have so far been under-researched within the genre. It is thus vital that GPN studies investigating sustainability engage with the interface between global production and environmental change.